NOT THE RIGHT ALEX
Ellie stood in front of the mirror, changing her earrings for the third time.
Well, Button, she said to her little dog, these ones or the other pair?
Button yawned widely.
Thanks for the pep talk.
She glanced at her watch. Half an hour left.
It was a strange fluttery feeling. Normally, she was brimming with confidenceboys usually trailed after her like lost puppies. But tonight
Nonsense, she told her reflection, eyeing herself up and down. Youre a catch!
Maybe it was that shed never actually seen Alex? Three weeks of chatting on the phoneyet not a single meeting.
Three weeks, and not once have I managed to get a word in edgeways, she realised with a smirk.
Ellie sighed, grabbed her handbag, and stood tall.
Time to go.
THREE WEEKS EARLIER
Oh, Ellie, when are you finally going to get married and move out? sighed her dad, a neurosurgeon, over dinner.
Hed come home after an endless day in theatre, hoping for a bit of quiet and maybe a chapter of some sci-fi by Iain M. Banks.
But Ellie had been rattling on for half an hour straight, dissecting British and American science fiction.
Dad, you always said Banks is the peak
I did. Justanother time, okay? I need some peace tonight.
Ellie was put out, falling silentfor all of three minutes.
Oh! Speaking of marriage, her dad suddenly perked up, remember Dr. Spencerthe head of that clinic where I used to help out?
Yeah?
Hes got a son. Word is, hes a decent young lad. Dr. Spencer asked for your numberthought itd be good for you two to meet. I said it was fine.
Ellie made a face.
These arranged introductions were so old-fashioned. That sort of thing was for desperate girlsnot her.
Still, she didnt want to argue with her dad.
THE FIRST CALL
The decent young lad waited a few days before ringing.
Hello?
Hi, its Alex. Did your dad mention me?
He did, Ellie replied, trying not to sound too interested. He had a nice voice.
My dad speaks very highly of you. Said youreextraordinary.
Oh, Im not really, she laughed. Just a regular student, second yearpaediatrics. You?
First year. Training to be a surgeon
Makes sense, she thought, explaining that slight swagger in his tone.
They talked for an hour.
Then again, for two more.
And after that, nearly every day.
Alex chatted about his cat, Mabel, his love for fantasy novels, and his endless worry about being too skinny, too pale, too tired.
Ellie listened but sometimes caught herself thinking:
Hang on, isnt this usually my routine?
She barely held back from saying, Alex, just chill out, will you? Not that he liked being called Al anyway.
But really, she quite liked himquirks and all.
MEETING AT OXFORD CIRCUS
Finally, they set a date to meet.
Right. At Oxford Circus station.
Theyd catch a new film at the cinema, then wander over to the Cosmic Creamery for some ice cream on Regent Street.
Beyond thatwell, who knew.
Ellie leapt off the Tube, scanning the crowd.
Buzz. Noise. That weird underground tang in the air.
And there he wastall, cute, holding a bouquet of roses.
He was waiting by the pillar, watching every train anxiously.
She strode right up:
Alex?
The lad jumped, looking at her all flustered.
Sorry, are you?
Ellie, she said with purpose, offering her handhalf for a shake, half expecting a kiss.
Stunned by my dazzling looks, she grinned to herself. Hes even slipped into formal mode again.
He froze.
Ellie? he echoed, uncertainly. But I
Come on! she grabbed his sleeve. We need to grab the tickets!
Wait, I wanted to say
Later! Well talk in a bit, she insisted, dragging him towards the exit.
He glanced back over his shoulderas if searching for someonebut Ellie was already pulling him into the crowd.
He still clutched the roses in his hand.
He looked from the flowers to her, then shrugged.
Alright, he said softly. Lets go.
THE FILM AND THE CREAMERY
They both enjoyed the film.
Ellie admired her dates sharp coat, set off by a scarf that looked hand-knittedmums handiwork, no doubt. He seemed chuffed about it.
He wore expensive aftershave that left a subtle, inviting scent.
Delicious ice cream with a crisp wafer at the Cosmic Creamery.
And, most importantly, they seemed to agree on everything.
Well, mostly it was Ellie doing the talking, while he listened, eyes shining, nodding at the right moments.
Sometimes, to prove he was really tuned in, hed gently wrap his big, warm hand around her tiny, expressive one.
It felt strong. It felt sexy.
You know, he said as they strolled through Covent Garden that evening, youre so
What? she tensed slightly.
So full of life. So genuine.
In reply, Ellie flashed her most dazzling, enchanting smile.
She was absolutely smitten.
THREE MONTHS LATER
The romance picked up speed.
They saw each other almost every day, with phone calls in between. Theyd have spoken even more often, if only iPhones existed back then.
Three months on, Alex declared he loved Ellie, couldnt imagine life without her, and wanted to marry her.
Blushing just enough to be polite, Ellie acceptedmore than a little thrilled.
Should probably introduce you to my parents, her fiancé suggested.
Not just yet, lets hold off, Ellie balked.
Though keen for her to settle down, her family was notoriously picky about suitors.
Especially Gran.
No one was ever quite worthy of their precious Ellie, and her parents always seemed to agree with her gran.
There was no way she was letting Alex gobut she didnt rush to meet his family either, just in case anyone compared notes.
HER DADS BIRTHDAY
A couple of weeks later, the perfect opportunity cropped up.
Although he hated a fuss, her dad decided to have a little do for his 55th birthday and invited some friends.
Ellie announced, with a glint of mystery, that she wouldnt be coming alone.
Just as the guests were gathering, Ellie ushered in her fiancé, bouquet of carnations in hand, a nice bottle of French brandy tucked under his arm.
Dad, Id like you to meet she began, proudly, but a little nervous.
The phone rang.
Hang on, back in a tick, her dad dashed off to answer it.
He reappeared a minute later, breathless.
That was Dr. Spencerjust checking directions from the station. So glad hes coming. I was worried hed never forgive me after you stood his son up at Oxford Circus!
Ellie froze.
Stood him up?
Her dad looked confused.
Yes! He said his son waited for you for two hours. With flowers. But you never turned up.
Ellie slowly turned to Alex.
He was standing near the door, pale, carnations in hand, looking sheepish.
Well be right back, she hissed to her baffled father, grabbing Alex and pulling him into her bedroom.
THE TRUTH
Ellie closed the door and turned to him.
Wait a sec, she said slowly, hardly daring to believe. What do you mean, I didnt turn up?
Alex was silent.
Youre not Alex Spencer?
He shook his head.
Youre not Dr. Spencers Alex?!
No, he whispered. Im Alex Sutton. My mate set me up to meet a girlNatalie. I was waiting at Oxford Circus. Then you walked up and
And I just swept you off with me, Ellie finished, horrified.
They stared at each other in stunned silence.
I did try to explain, he said. That first day. On the way to the cinema. But you didnt hear me out.
I never listen, Ellie sighed. Its a gift.
Button whimpered outside the door.
Ellie flopped onto her bed.
Now what?
Alex looked at hera long, serious, almost comically intense look.
Then he stepped forward and dropped to one knee.
I honestly dont care whether fate or someones dad brought us together. What matters is: I love you, and I want you to be my wife. Properly. No confusion.
Ellie broke into a relieved smile.
Alright, then. Lets go meet the family just warning you, mines a mixed bag.
Mines not exactly simple either. Plus the cats a nightmare.
Well manage!
They stepped out of the bedroom.
The living room was full of guests and there, just walking in, were Dr. Spencer and his son.
Tall. Handsome. Clutching a bunch of roses.
Ellie looked at the real Alex Spencer.
Then at her Alex, white as a sheet, still holding his carnations.
No, she thought, hes not the one.
And she started laughingthis time, properly.
Dad, she called, Ive got quite a story for you. Its a long oneAnd with Button at her heels and Alex at her sideblushing, nervous, but grinningEllie marched back into the fray, bouquet held high. Eyes turned. Conversations paused.
Everyone, this is Alex. Not the Alex you expectedbut the right one, as it happens. She squeezed his hand, feeling the tremble and warmth, and winked at her stunned father. And Daddont worry. I found him all by myself. Sort of.
The room erupted in laughterher grans high cackle cutting through first, followed by a round of applause from guests who could sense a good love story when they heard one.
Later, as the party buzzed around them and Button licked crumbs from the rug, Alex leaned into Ellie, whispering, Sowhat do you think our families will say?
My grans already plotting wedding menus, Ellie grinned, and your cat will have to get used to sharing you.
Alex smiled, and, for the first time since Oxford Circus, neither one of them felt lost in the crowd. For all the mix-ups and missed signs, theyd found themselvesand each othera little off-route, a little wrong, but just right.
Outside, London hummed with possibility. Ellie slipped her arm around Alexs waist, beaming, certain of one thing at last:
Sometimes, the best stories are the ones no one could have scripted.
And this was only the beginning.
